Chapter 21 #4
Gisela found a black pair and was relieved when she pulled them on to find that they were the size she needed.
Standing up, she smoothed the open skirt that draped around her pants, and went to find her gracious hostess.
Tanis waited near the windows. When she turned, she sucked her breath in sharply. “You are absolutely beautiful.”
“I can’t thank you enough for the clothes.”
Tanis waved her gratitude away. “I more than understand. Believe me, you and I have a lot in common.”
She was beginning to realize that. And as she started to speak, there was a knock on the door.
“Enter,” Tanis called.
Candara pushed the door open. “Sorry to interrupt. I have a gift for Gisela.”
“Really?” Gifts weren’t something she received.
Crossing the room, Candara handed her a long box.
She had no idea what could be inside until she opened it to find a long golden wand that reminded her of a unicorn horn. “What is this?”
“The wand of Queen Amandine. I gave it to my brother because something told me he needed it. But I think it was because I sensed your presence with them. As such, it should go to you. I think the queen would be honored for her descendant to have it.”
“Shouldn’t it go to Dash?”
Candara shook her head. “The wand wants you.”
More honored than she could express, Gisela took the horn into her hand. The power of it made the hair on her arm stand upright. It sizzled in the air around them.
Never had she felt anything like it.
Terrified of what it could do, she returned it to the box. “Thank you.”
Candara inclined her head to her. “I think you’re both home, where you should be.”
Funny, it didn’t feel like home. It was wonderful and more beautiful than anything she’d ever seen, but it wasn’t where she belonged.
Honestly, she didn’t want to stay here. There was only one place she wanted to be.
“Can I see Xaydin?”
“Of course.” Tanis led the way to the door. “Is he still in the throne room?” she asked Candara.
“They were when I left. But I don’t know if they’re still there.”
“Then let’s stalk them and see what they’re up to.”
Xaydin sat in a chair in Dash’s council room across from where the High King sat at the round table.
He glanced around at Mischief, Chrys, Masakage, Dash, Ryper and Ronan.
His family. Some by blood and some by shared torment. These were the people he cared about. The only creatures he cared about other than Gisela and Candara.
And a few other Outlaws.
He would give his life for any of them, but especially Gisela.
They would do the same for him.
Without hesitation.
“I’ve sent word for Dove.” Dash gestured at the contract that was laid out on the table before them. “Given that it’s elfin, I know he’ll want to return it home and let his people deal with those who are responsible for this travesty.”
“It’s grisly,” Ryper agreed. “How could anyone do such a thing?”
Masakage sighed heavily. “Fairies write spell books on human skin…anthropodermics…a lot more than anyone should be comfortable with.”
Dash nodded. “Don’t get me started on those who collect unicorn horns.” Especially since his sister had lost hers to such a bastard.
Xaydin felt for his friend. He could only imagine the horror. Personally, he’d rip the heart from the chest of anyone who did that to Gisela. “I don’t understand trophy hunters.”
“If only,” Ronan scoffed. “These are mercenary bastards who do it for profit.”
Mischief poured more wine into her cup. “So what are we to do with Meara now? The contract’s broken, right?”
“I still have a contract with her. It’s just unenforceable in this state.”
“Meaning we can invade her lands?” There was way too much eagerness in Ryper’s tone.
Dash nodded. “And thanks to Xaydin, we have someone we can put in power who won’t be so quick to war.”
Xaydin shook his head. “I doubt Gisela would accept such an offer. She wasn’t raised to be queen, and from what I know of her, she won’t relish the idea of it.”
“Can you talk her into taking the throne?”
Xaydin stared at his friend. “Are you out of your mind, Dash? Can you talk Tanis into something she doesn’t want to do?”
He had an amused smirk that said he might be able to accomplish that miracle. “The alternative is to put one of Meara’s sons on the throne. They’ll be right back, attacking us.”
“And if you put Gisela on the throne, they’ll be after her as an imposter. Not to mention the fact that she’s part unicorn. All their people will hate her for her paternity. I won’t subject her to that.”
“Maybe you should ask her?” Mischief gave him a pointed glare. “You’re making assumptions about what she wants. I say we pitch the idea to her and see what she says. Let her make up her own mind.”
“I would prefer that.”
They all turned to see Gisela in the doorway with Candara and Tanis.
Xaydin rose to his feet. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
She offered him a smile. “I know you didn’t. I’d never accuse you of imposing your will on me. But it would be nice to be consulted about my future.”
As Gisela neared him, he held his chair out for her and let her sit down. Then, he went after a spare chair that he pulled in beside hers.
While he did that, Tanis took a chair next to Dash and Candara moved to sit between Masakage and Mischief.
With a heavy sigh, she looked at Dash. “I don’t want to be queen…
but what you said about my brothers is correct.
There’s not a one of them who could be a decent king.
They’ll exact revenge on any and everyone around them.
For any small slight or whim. Real or imagined.
They’re as cruel if not worse than my mother. ”
“Is there anyone else you’d put in power?”
Gisela tried her best to think of someone.
In the end, she had to face the harsh truth. “There’s no one.”
At least no one she’d trust with that kind of power. A few, such as Ferox, would be worse than her mother.
Gisela sighed. “The Thassalians are doomed.”
Dash shifted his gaze to Xaydin.
“Don’t even think it. I won’t sit on my own throne, why would I sit on someone else’s?”
“I wasn’t planning to crown you. Rather I’m thinking you’d be an excellent bodyguard for a queen.”
Still Gisela shook her head. “I’m an assassin, not a politician. Is there not one Outlaw capable of taking our throne?”
Ronan laughed bitterly. “No. The one thing we all learned while in your mother’s custody was never to trust a centaur.”
It was hard for her to argue that when she’d come away with the same lesson.
Dash let out a tired sigh. “We have a choice. Leave Meara in power and endure her constant scheming and attacks. Or we find someone willing to take the throne who is able to keep the centaurs from rebelling. Anyone know anyone? I’m open to all suggestions.”
There weren’t any.
Gisela took Xaydin’s hand in hers. “If I do this, I don’t want to be alone.”
“If you do this, I’m in it with you. Because I’m stupid that way.”
She laughed at his dire tone. “And apparently, so am I.” Cutting her gaze back to Dash, she already regretted the decision she was making. “I’ll do this, but if I’m overthrown and beheaded, I’ll be haunting you for eternity.”
Xaydin snorted. “And I’ll be beating the shit out of him.”